Ceasefire - Peace At Last?
By Claire Edwards DSNU
October 2025
Over the last few days, there has been great change in the world as Israel and Gaza begin what will hopefully be a lasting ceasefire, as hostages and prisoners are released and families reunited once more.
One can only imagine the feelings as those separated for a considerable amount of time, and without confidence that a reunion would ever come to pass, must have felt as they were able to see the faces, hear the voices and hold their loved ones close once more.
I, as many in our world, am praying that this cease fire truly means an end to the conflict that has ravaged and ruined so many lives. Hoping that those on both sides can begin to move forward, whilst not necessarily agreeing on many things, but that they can, at least, agree that the time for the fighting to stop is upon us.
Conflicts continue in all areas of our world and have done so, seemingly since the beginning of humankind. For many watching on, we cannot comprehend how living in a war zone affects the lives of those that do. We can’t imagine the horrors as people watch all that they know and love destroyed in a matter of minutes. It is perhaps a case of “there but for the grace of God go I.”
However, there is a responsibility that is still ours to bear during times of conflicts in distant lands with cultures, customs and languages that differ to our own. We can still seek to understand and acknowledge that every single thing within our world has a right to be here. A right to live their lives as they see fit in accordance with their understanding, traditions and beliefs. We cannot presume to live a life of more value, worth or meaning simply because we assert that what we believe is correct and the only truth.
Whilst some practices held dear to others have no bearing on our morals, values and principles, what right have we to say that we know best, and further more seek to overpower and over rule a stranger’s way of life and being in the world because we do not finding it sympathetic to our own ideals?
Like all things, this is not a simple issue, no black or white answer can be given here, for some practices many can universally see are harmful to others, in all the kingdoms, animal, vegetable and mineral, and therein lies the question of whether to idly sit by whilst great harm and suffering is inflicted or to try to steer someone to the way of our thinking, through discussion, argument or force for the benefit of the greater whole.
I am sure that within all the different communities in our world, there are those who have borne witness to the disastrous results of one set of people seeking to instill their values upon another group. Those elders who truly appreciate that with the coming of age comes the understanding that for the majority, we all just want to live our lives peacefully and in harmony whilst spending time cultivating our own part of the world with the family and friends we choose to share it with.
It seems to me that if we begin when our children are young to instill upon them the understanding that all things in our world are not here by chance, but by some design of a greater power, intelligence and love, including themselves, that we will be able to foster within them, not just their own self value and importance, but also the strength and ability for them to be able to not feel any the less when in the shadow of another.
It is when a person perceives something lacking in themselves or that someone else, seemingly unfairly, has more than them, that the negativity can begin to take seed and grow. Healthy competition becomes hostile rivalry. Instead of celebrating another’s success, jealousy and envy arise and taint our thoughts, words and actions.
When we learn to perceive ourselves as worthy and whole from a young age, we do not feel threatened by the presence and situation of another. When we have self-respect and confidence, we know that we are enough. We know we are no less due to the circumstances we are born into and that others are not.
This grounding, this understanding comes through the lessons taught to us by our elders and our ancestors. Those in the Spirit world who seek to help and work with us, to deepen our understanding beyond the finite physical world we currently have our being in. To teach to us and to prove to us, that the limitations set upon us are human made, and not a true reflection or depiction of that Spirit that we are. That Spirit that resides within our physical body for a brief moment whilst upon on the Earth.
If we can teach as many as possible then great change can be affected in our world. Peace, harmony and love could be invoked with the majority. The light could touch so many more than the darkness if we just tried to build and sustain a deeper reverence for all of life within our own families.
Which would in turn expand as each person integrates with others in the course of our daily lives. It is not folly to think that love and joy could be spread one by one to others in our world. We have seen all too often of how hate and fear can be spread so quickly through our communities and the world at large.
What if today, we all made a conscious decision to have the same mindset as the intention of the ceasefire?
To stop the fighting, to pause the attacks on others we do not agree with or understand, to simply allow others to simply be whilst asking them to do the same towards us.
Could it sometimes be so simple and yet so hard in terms of each and every one of us actively working hard for the greater good?
I don’t know for sure, but I do know for certain that there will never be peace if people are not brave enough to try, one moment at a time.
thepromiseofthejoytocome@outlook.com